A power interface device includes a main switching converter, an auxiliary switching converter, and a feedback sense circuit. The main switching converter is coupled to an input terminal and an output terminal and configured to operate at a first switching frequency to source a low frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal. The auxiliary switching converter is coupled to the input terminal and the output terminal in parallel with the main switching converter and configured to operate at a second and higher switching frequency than the first switching frequency to source a fast transient high frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal.
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1. A power interface device comprising: a main switching converter coupled to an input terminal and an output terminal and configured to operate at a first switching frequency to source a low frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal; an auxiliary switching converter coupled to the input terminal and the output terminal in parallel with the main switching converter and configured to operate at a second and higher switching frequency than the first switching frequency to source a fast transient high frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal; a feedback sense circuit configured to sense an output voltage at the output terminal; an error amplifier configured to receive the sensed output voltage and a reference voltage and output a transient signal based on the sensed output voltage and the reference voltage; a high pass filter configured to receive the transient signal and output a higher frequency component of the transient signal; and an auxiliary driver circuit configured to drive the auxiliary switching converter based on the higher frequency component of the transient signal.
A power supply device has two converters: a main converter for providing steady current and an auxiliary converter for handling sudden current changes (transients). The main converter operates at a lower frequency. The auxiliary converter operates at a higher frequency and is connected in parallel with the main converter. A feedback circuit monitors the output voltage. An error amplifier compares the output voltage to a reference voltage and generates a transient signal. A high-pass filter extracts the high-frequency part of this transient signal. An auxiliary driver then controls the auxiliary converter based on this high-frequency component, allowing it to quickly respond to load changes.
2. The power interface device of claim 1 , wherein the main switching converter and the auxiliary switching converter include current-mode switching regulators.
The power interface device as described previously, where the main converter and auxiliary converter are current-mode switching regulators. This means they regulate current flow using pulse-width modulation (PWM) techniques. They adjust the duty cycle based on current feedback.
3. The power interface device of claim 1 , wherein the main switching converter and the auxiliary switching converter include step-down, current mode, switching regulators configured to convert a higher input voltage of the input terminal to a lower voltage, the lower voltage being the output voltage.
The power interface device as described previously, where the main and auxiliary converters are step-down, current-mode switching regulators. They convert a higher input voltage to a lower output voltage using current-mode control. They are buck converters.
4. The power interface device of claim 1 , wherein the main switching converter includes a first main switch, a second main switch, and a main inductor, wherein the first main switch at one end is coupled to the input voltage terminal and at another end is coupled to a main node, the second main switch at one end is coupled to the main node and at another end is coupled to a ground terminal, and the main inductor at one end is coupled to the main node and at another end is coupled to the output terminal.
The power interface device as described previously, where the main converter is a switching circuit comprising of a first switch connecting the input voltage to a main node, a second switch connecting the main node to ground, and an inductor connecting the main node to the output. These components form the core of the main converter.
5. The power interface device of claim 4 , wherein the auxiliary switching converter includes a first auxiliary switch, a second auxiliary switch, and an auxiliary inductor, wherein the first auxiliary switch at one end is coupled to the input terminal and at another end is coupled to an auxiliary node, the second auxiliary switch at one end is coupled to the auxiliary node and another end is coupled to the ground terminal, and the auxiliary inductor at one end is coupled to the auxiliary node and at another end is coupled to the output terminal.
The power interface device as described previously, where the auxiliary converter has a first switch connecting the input voltage to an auxiliary node, a second switch connecting the auxiliary node to ground, and an inductor connecting the auxiliary node to the output. This mirrors the main converter's structure but operates at a higher frequency for faster transient response.
6. The power interface device of claim 5 , wherein: the auxiliary switching regulator is configured to source the fast transient high frequency current only during a transient detected at a load device, and the transient includes a sudden increase or decrease in load current.
The power interface device as described previously, where the auxiliary converter only provides current during load transients (sudden increases or decreases in current demand). During normal, stable operation, the auxiliary converter remains inactive.
7. The power interface device of claim 5 , wherein the first and second main switches and the first and second auxiliary switches include FET switches.
The power interface device as described previously, where the main and auxiliary switches in both converters are FETs (Field-Effect Transistors). These FET switches rapidly turn on and off to control current flow.
8. The power interface device of claim 1 , wherein: the feedback sense circuit includes a plurality of resistors and capacitors configured to sense the output voltage and generate a feedback voltage, and the error amplifier is configured to receive the feedback voltage and the reference voltage, and generate the transient signal when the feedback voltage and the reference voltage are not substantially equal to each other.
The power interface device as described previously, where the feedback circuit uses resistors and capacitors to sense the output voltage and create a feedback voltage. The error amplifier compares this feedback voltage to a reference voltage. A significant difference between these voltages triggers the generation of a transient signal indicating a need for adjustment.
9. The power interface device of claim 8 , further comprising: a low pass filter configured to receive the transient signal and output a lower frequency component of the transient signal; and a main driver circuit configured to drive the main switching converter based on the lower frequency component of the transient signal.
The power interface device as described previously, also includes a low-pass filter that extracts the low-frequency part of the transient signal. A main driver circuit then controls the main converter based on this low-frequency component, allowing it to handle the steady-state current demands.
10. The power interface device of claim 9 , wherein: the auxiliary driver circuit includes an auxiliary comparator configured to compare the higher frequency component of the transient signal with a sensed high frequency current sourced by the auxiliary switching converter and generate an auxiliary pulse-width signal for driving the auxiliary switching converter, and the auxiliary pulse-width signal enables the auxiliary switching converter to source high frequency current tracking the higher frequency component of the transient signal to the output terminal.
The power interface device as described previously, where the auxiliary driver circuit includes a comparator that compares the high-frequency component of the transient signal with the sensed high-frequency current provided by the auxiliary converter. This comparator generates a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal that drives the auxiliary converter. This PWM signal ensures the auxiliary converter accurately supplies high-frequency current to match the transient demand.
11. The power interface device of claim 10 , wherein: the main driver circuit includes a main comparator circuit configured to compare the lower frequency component of the transient signal with a sensed low frequency current sourced by the main switching converter and generate a main pulse-width signal for driving the main switching converter, and the main pulse-width signal enables the main switching converter to source the low frequency current tracking the lower frequency component of the transient signal to the output terminal.
The power interface device as described previously, where the main driver circuit contains a comparator that compares the low-frequency part of the transient signal to a sensed low frequency current from the main converter. This comparator generates a main PWM signal to control the main converter, ensuring it supplies low frequency current to track the lower frequency component of the transient signal.
12. The power interface device of claim 10 , wherein in response to the first duty-cycle, the auxiliary switching converter is configured to source the fast transient high frequency current to the output terminal only during a transient sensed at a load device via the feedback sense circuit.
The power interface device as described previously, where the auxiliary converter only provides transient current to the output when a transient is detected by the feedback circuit. The auxiliary converter is only activated by changes at the load.
13. The power interface device of claim 12 , wherein the auxiliary switching converter is configured to source substantially zero current during a steady-state operation of the load device.
The power interface device as described previously, where the auxiliary converter outputs almost zero current during stable load conditions. The auxiliary converter is specifically for transient response and remains inactive otherwise.
14. A power interface device comprising: a main switching converter coupled to an input terminal and an output terminal and configured to operate at a first switching frequency to source a low frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal; an auxiliary switching converter coupled to the input terminal and the output terminal in parallel with the main switching converter and configured to operate at a second and higher switching frequency than the first switching frequency to source a fast transient high frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal; a main control loop configured to drive the main switching converter to source the low frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal; and an auxiliary control loop being independent form the main control loop and configured to drive the auxiliary switching converter to source the fast transient high frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal during a transient, wherein: the auxiliary control loop includes a high pass filter configured to output a higher frequency compensation component of an output voltage associated with the transient, and the auxiliary control loop is configured to drive the auxiliary switching converter based on the higher frequency compensation component of the output voltage.
A power supply device has two converters: a main converter for providing steady current at a lower frequency and an auxiliary converter for handling sudden current changes (transients) at a higher frequency. These converters are connected in parallel. The main converter is controlled by a main control loop. The auxiliary converter is controlled by an independent auxiliary control loop that operates during transients. The auxiliary control loop includes a high-pass filter to extract the higher frequency parts of an output voltage change (transient), and this filtered signal drives the auxiliary converter.
15. The power interface device 14 , wherein the main control loop includes: a main feedback sense circuit having a plurality of resistors and capacitors configured to sense the output voltage and generate a feedback voltage, a main error operational amplifier configured to receive the feedback voltage and a reference voltage, and generate a transient signal when the feedback voltage and the reference voltage are not substantially equal to each other, and a main comparator circuit configured to compare the transient signal with a sensed low frequency current sourced by the main switching converter and generate a main pulse-width signal for driving the main switching converter, wherein the main pulse-width signal enables the main switching converter to source the low frequency current tracking the transient signal.
The power interface device as described previously, where the main control loop has a feedback circuit (resistors and capacitors) that monitors the output voltage and generates a feedback signal. An error amplifier compares the feedback signal to a reference voltage, creating a transient signal when they differ significantly. A comparator then compares the transient signal with the low-frequency current from the main converter to generate a PWM signal that controls the main converter, allowing it to adjust current output.
16. The power interface device 14 , wherein the auxiliary control loop includes: an auxiliary feedback sense circuit including a low pass filter coupled to the output terminal and configured to generate a lower frequency compensation component of the output voltage, an auxiliary error operational amplifier configured to directly receive the output voltage and the lower frequency compensation component of the output voltage, generate the higher frequency compensation component of the output voltage, and supply the higher frequency compensation component of the output voltage to the high pass filter, an auxiliary comparator circuit configured to compare the higher frequency compensation component of the output voltage with a sensed high frequency current sourced by the auxiliary switching converter and generate an auxiliary pulse-width signal for driving the auxiliary switching converter, and the auxiliary pulse-width signal enables the auxiliary switching converter to source the fast transient high frequency current tracking the higher frequency compensation component of the output voltage to the output terminal.
The power interface device as described previously, where the auxiliary control loop contains a low-pass filter connected to the output to generate a lower frequency component of the output voltage. An error amplifier directly uses the output voltage and the low-pass filtered voltage to create the higher frequency component of the output voltage. This high frequency component goes through a high-pass filter and is then compared against the auxiliary converter's current to generate a PWM signal. This PWM signal drives the auxiliary converter to supply the transient high-frequency current.
17. A power interface device comprising: a main switching converter coupled to an input terminal and an output terminal and configured to operate at a first switching frequency to source a low frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal; an auxiliary switching converter coupled to the input terminal and the output terminal in parallel with the main switching converter and configured to operate at a second and higher switching frequency than the first switching frequency to source a fast transient high frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal; a feedback sense circuit configured to sense an output voltage at the output terminal; an error amplifier configured to receive the sensed output voltage and a reference voltage and output a transient signal based on the sensed output voltage and the reference voltage; a low pass filter configured to receive the transient signal and output a lower frequency component of the transient signal; a high pass filter configured to receive the transient signal and output a higher frequency component of the transient signal; a main driver circuit configured to drive the auxiliary switching converter based on the lower frequency component of the transient signal; and an auxiliary driver circuit configured to drive the auxiliary switching converter based on the higher frequency component of the transient signal.
A power supply device has two converters: a main converter for providing steady current and an auxiliary converter for handling sudden current changes (transients). The main converter operates at a lower frequency. The auxiliary converter operates at a higher frequency and is connected in parallel with the main converter. A feedback circuit monitors the output voltage. An error amplifier compares the output voltage to a reference voltage and generates a transient signal. Low and high pass filters split the transient signal into low and high frequency components. Main and auxiliary drivers then control the main and auxiliary converters based on the low and high-frequency components of the transient signal.
18. The power interface device of claim 17 , wherein the main switching converter and the auxiliary switching converter include step-down, current mode, switching regulators configured to convert a higher input voltage of the input terminal to a lower voltage, the lower voltage being the output voltage.
The power interface device as described previously, where the main and auxiliary converters are step-down, current-mode switching regulators. They convert a higher input voltage to a lower output voltage.
19. The power interface device of claim 17 , wherein the main switching converter includes a first main switch, a second main switch, and a main inductor, wherein the first main switch at one end is coupled to the input voltage terminal and at another end is coupled to a main node, the second main switch at one end is coupled to the main node and at another end is coupled to a ground terminal, and the main inductor at one end is coupled to the main node and at another end is coupled to the output terminal.
The power interface device as described previously, where the main converter contains a first switch connecting the input voltage to a main node, a second switch connecting the main node to ground, and an inductor connecting the main node to the output terminal.
20. The power interface device of claim 19 , wherein the auxiliary switching converter includes a first auxiliary switch, a second auxiliary switch, and an auxiliary inductor, wherein the first auxiliary switch at one end is coupled to the input terminal and at another end is coupled to an auxiliary node, the second auxiliary switch at one end is coupled to the auxiliary node and another end is coupled to the ground terminal, and the auxiliary inductor at one end is coupled to the auxiliary node and at another end is coupled to the output terminal.
The power interface device as described previously, where the auxiliary converter contains a first switch connecting the input voltage to an auxiliary node, a second switch connecting the auxiliary node to ground, and an inductor connecting the auxiliary node to the output terminal.
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February 19, 2016
November 28, 2017
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